“With the support, I can tell you, of our ownership not only today but throughout this process, we have come to terms with Ryan O’Reilly and now we move forward as a hockey club.”

The timing of the events was perfect. The two teams were matched up against each other in Denver.

The Flames organization offered another brief statement later in the evening, saying the club tried to acquire O’Reilly in a trade but that the asking price “was too steep and would negatively impact our future.”

The statement added: “We attempted to improve our hockey team and will continue to do so going forward.”

Nope. THIS is what it looks like when cups trolls. 12 of the 35 comments on this article were from him bashing Parise, the Wild or anything that got in his way. Since that bitter little spree: the Wild have won both games they have played, Parise had a point in each game (including an overtime goal), the Devils lost again and Marty when on IR.

Like I said, I’m curious to see how this all plays out.

atwatercrushesokoye - Feb 28, 2013 at 11:25 PM

How exactly did the Avalanche “come to terms” with O’Reilly? They just matched an offer sheet, they had no input into the terms. Same goes with them “getting him signed” another team did that you just matched the offer.

19to77 - Mar 1, 2013 at 2:23 AM

No kidding. Tonight’s events really tell you everything about the Avs’ organization. After vacillating for months over this contract and letting their relationship grow absolutely toxic, a chance is given for them to take a bad team’s 1st and 3rd picks in a stacked draft. Instead, they reflexively overpay for O’Reilly I suspect entirely because they didn’t want to feel like the losers of their contract dispute. Which, ironically, matching that overpriced offer sheet makes them.

rainyday56 - Mar 1, 2013 at 12:05 AM

If the Flames were truly interested in acquiring O’Reilly, why did they not offer term? This whole thing reeks of a brokered deal conducted by the Flames HO on the Avs’ behalf. Probably mandated by Bettman, who surely couldn’t stand watching another young talent sitting for the stupid reasons O’Reilly isn’t playing. Bettman would have to act after taking stick for the lockout, concussed stars, unbalanced schedule, and all the other things that have deprived hockey fans while under his watch.

juliath83 - Mar 1, 2013 at 1:21 AM

Just as an aside, anytime someone uses the phrase “moving forward”, everything they said before that phrase is devoid of any real meaning. Similar to “at the end of the day” and “it is what it is” and basically all other business-like jargon. Your BS meter should be going off for both of these teams.

phillyphanatic77 - Mar 1, 2013 at 3:25 AM

This press conference looked extremely awkward. The Avs GM didn’t seem pleased at all with the signing. It’s very probable that the relationship is toxic right now. I mean what was it all for? The Avs front office basically destroyed a relationship because they refused to pay O’Reilly $5 mil/yr, caused a lengthy holdout (that furthered the dislike AND hurt the club on ice), then gave him what he wanted anyway. He’s not worth that money (yet) but what kind of message are you sending when you adamantly refuse to pay the guy for so long then basically cave. It’s certainly not gonna help future negotiations. And what if he doesn’t live up to the deal, doesn’t progress as everyone expects, and the Flames pick a stud in this years draft? History might look back poorly on the decision to match.

the offer sheet by Calgary just shows how stupid and how bad of an organization Calgary is. by signing this guy for 2 years at this much money Calgary just raise the bar on how much the second contractors get paid. we just had a lock out because of stupid decisions like this by the flames.

I’m interested to see how o’reilly performs under a soured relationship. Getting the money he desired after such a sh*tshow certainly isn’t going to help him take his game to the next level. That’s done under positive conditions and a lot of team support.